Thursday, April 23, 2026

100 Question ⁉️ Answers on Financial Accounting Fin Reporting mocktest


 Here are *100 US CMA Part 1 Financial Accounting MCQs , covering all topics you listed.


1. What is the primary objective of financial reporting?


Answer:

To provide useful financial information to external users (investors, creditors) for decision-making regarding resource allocation.



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2. Which standard-setting body governs US financial reporting?


Answer:

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).



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3. What are the four primary financial statements?


Answer:


Income Statement


Balance Sheet


Statement of Cash Flows


Statement of Changes in Equity




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4. What is the accounting equation?


Answer:

Assets = Liabilities + Equity



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5. What is the difference between accrual basis and cash basis accounting?


Answer:


Accrual basis: Revenues and expenses are recognized when earned/incurred.


Cash basis: Recognized when cash is received/paid.




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6. What is revenue recognition under US GAAP?


Answer:

Revenue is recognized when control of goods/services is transferred to the customer (based on the 5-step model under Financial Accounting Standards Board guidance).



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7. What is the purpose of the statement of cash flows?


Answer:

To show cash inflows and outflows from operating, investing, and financing activities.



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8. What is materiality in financial reporting?


Answer:

Information is material if its omission or misstatement could influence users’ decisions.



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9. What is conservatism (prudence) concept?


Answer:

Recognize expenses and liabilities as soon as possible, but revenues only when they are assured.



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10. What is the difference between current and non-current assets?


Answer:


Current assets: Expected to be converted into cash within one year (e.g., inventory, receivables)


Non-current assets: Long-term assets (e.g., property, plant, equipment)


*Section 2: Leases – ASC 842 – 10 Qs*


*Q11*: Lessee signs 5-yr lease, PV of payments $100,000. No ownership transfer.  

*Q*: Balance Sheet Day 1?  

*Answer: ROU Asset $100,000, Lease Liability $100,000*  

*Trigger*: *Operating & Finance leases both on B/S* under ASC 842.


*Q12*: Finance lease: Payment $25,000/yr, Interest yr1 $8,000.  

*Q*: Yr1 lease expense?  

*Answer: $8,000 interest + $17,000 amortization = $25,000*  

*Trigger*: Finance lease = front-loaded expense.


*Q13*: Operating lease: Straight-line expense $25,000/yr.  

*Q*: Yr1 interest $8,000. Amortization?  

*Answer: $17,000*  

*Trigger*: Operating lease = single lease cost. Amort = Lease cost – Interest.


*Q14*: Short-term lease 11 months.  

*Q*: B/S treatment?  

*Answer: Elect to expense, no ROU/Liability*  

*Trigger*: *<12 months exemption* if no purchase option.


*Q15*: Lessee pays $5,000 initial direct costs.  

*Q*: Add to ROU Asset?  

*Answer: Yes*  

*Trigger*: ROU = PV + initial direct costs + prepayments – incentives.


*Q16*: Lease with purchase option reasonably certain.  

*Q*: Classify?  

*Answer: Finance lease*  

*Trigger*: 1 of 5 tests = purchase option reasonably certain.


*Q17*: Lessor, operating lease.  

*Q*: Income recognition?  

*Answer: Straight-line rent revenue*  

*Trigger*: Asset stays on lessor B/S, depreciated.


*Q18*: Sale-leaseback, not a sale under ASC 606.  

*Q*: Treatment?  

*Answer: Financing transaction, not sale*  

*Trigger*: If control not transferred, keep asset + record liability.


*Q19*: Variable lease payment based on sales.  

*Q*: Include in lease liability?  

*Answer: No, expense as incurred*  

*Trigger*: Only index/rate based variable payments included.


*Q20*: Discount rate: lessee doesn’t know implicit rate.  

*Q*: Use?  

*Answer: Incremental borrowing rate*  

*Trigger*: IBR if implicit rate not readily determinable.


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*Section 3: Income Taxes – DTA/DTL – 10 Qs*


*Q21*: Pretax book income $100,000. Tax depreciation > book by $20,000. Tax rate 25%.  

*Q*: DTL?  

*Answer: $5,000* = 20,000×25%  

*Trigger*: Tax > Book depreciation = future taxable = DTL.


*Q22*: Warranty expense book $30,000, tax $0. Tax rate 25%.  

*Q*: DTA?  

*Answer: $7,500*  

*Trigger*: Book > Tax expense = future deductible = DTA.


*Q23*: Permanent difference: Municipal bond interest $10,000.  

*Q*: DTA/DTL?  

*Answer: None*  

*Trigger*: *Permanent diff never reverses*, no deferred tax.


*Q24*: NOL carryforward $50,000. Tax rate 25%. More likely than not 100% realizable.  

*Q*: DTA?  

*Answer: $12,500*  

*Trigger*: NOL creates DTA.


*Q25*: Valuation allowance needed if:  

*Answer: DTA more likely than not NOT realized*  

*Trigger*: >50% chance not realized = VA.


*Q26*: Tax rate enacted 30% to 25% next year. Existing DTL $15,000 based on 30%.  

*Q*: New DTL?  

*Answer: $12,500* = 50,000×25%  

*Trigger*: *Adjust DT using enacted future rate*. $2,500 benefit in current tax expense.


*Q27*: Fines paid $5,000, non-deductible.  

*Q*: Temporary or Permanent?  

*Answer: Permanent*  

*Trigger*: Never deductible for tax.


*Q28*: Installment sale: Book recognizes all yr1, tax recognizes yr2.  

*Q*: DTL or DTA yr1?  

*Answer: DTL*  

*Trigger*: Book income > Tax income yr1 = future taxable.


*Q29*: Unrealized loss on AFS securities $40,000, tax 25%.  

*Q*: DTA where recorded?  

*Answer: $10,000 DTA in OCI*  

*Trigger*: DT on OCI items goes to OCI, not I/S.


*Q30*: Deferred tax classification on B/S?  

*Answer: All noncurrent*  

*Trigger*: ASU 2015-17 – all DT classified noncurrent.


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*Section 4: Inventory FIFO/LIFO – 10 Qs*


*Q31*: Inflation period. FIFO vs LIFO. Which higher COGS?  

*Answer: LIFO higher COGS*  

*Trigger*: LIFO uses newest = higher cost in inflation.


*Q32*: Inflation period. Which higher NI?  

*Answer: FIFO*  

*Trigger*: FIFO lower COGS = higher NI.


*Q33*: Inflation period. Which higher ending inventory B/S?  

*Answer: FIFO*  

*Trigger*: FIFO leaves newest costs in inventory.


*Q34*: LIFO Reserve = FIFO Inv – LIFO Inv. FIFO $500K, LIFO $400K.  

*Q*: LIFO Reserve?  

*Answer: $100,000*  

*Trigger*: Converts LIFO to FIFO.


*Q35*: Prices falling. Which method higher COGS?  

*Answer: FIFO*  

*Trigger*: FIFO uses oldest = higher cost in deflation.


*Q36*: Perpetual vs Periodic FIFO: COGS same?  

*Answer: Yes, FIFO same under both*  

*Trigger*: FIFO COGS same; LIFO differs.


*Q37*: Perpetual vs Periodic LIFO: COGS same?  

*Answer: No, can differ*  

*Trigger*: Periodic LIFO uses year-end prices for all.


*Q38*: LIFO liquidation occurs when:  

*Answer: Sales > purchases, old layers sold*  

*Trigger*: Causes phantom profits in inflation.


*Q39*: Lower of Cost or Market. Replacement cost $80, NRV $90, NRV-Profit $70, Cost $85.  

*Q*: Market?  

*Answer: $80*  

*Trigger*: Market = middle of RC, NRV, NRV-Profit. LCNRV = 80 vs 85 = $80.


*Q40*: IFRS allows LIFO?  

*Answer: No*  

*Trigger*: US GAAP only. IFRS bans LIFO.


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*Section 5: Prior Period Adj, Acct vs Mgmt Acct – 10 Qs*


*Q41*: Error: 2024 depreciation understated $50,000. Found 2025. Tax 25%.  

*Q*: 2025 adjustment?  

*Answer: Retained Earnings beg 2025 ↓ $37,500 net of tax*  

*Trigger*: *Prior period adjustment* to RE, restate comparative.


*Q42*: Change from LIFO to FIFO.  

*Q*: Treatment?  

*Answer: Retrospective, restate prior periods*  

*Trigger*: Accounting principle change = retrospective.


*Q43*: Change in useful life estimate.  

*Q*: Treatment?  

*Answer: Prospective only*  

*Trigger*: Change in estimate = no restatement.


*Q44*: Financial accounting primary users?  

*Answer: External: investors, creditors*  

*Trigger*: GAAP, audited, historical.


*Q45*: Management accounting primary users?  

*Answer: Internal: managers*  

*Trigger*: No GAAP, future-oriented, flexible.


*Q46*: Which is not GAAP: accrual, cash, consistency?  

*Answer: Cash basis*  

*Trigger*: GAAP requires accrual.


*Q47*: Profitability ratio example?  

*Answer: ROA, ROE, Net Margin*  

*Trigger*: Profitability = income vs sales/assets/equity.


*Q48*: Liquidity ratio example?  

*Answer: Current Ratio, Quick Ratio*  

*Trigger*: Liquidity = short-term debt paying ability.


*Q49*: Solvency ratio example?  

*Answer: Debt-to-Equity, Times Interest Earned*  

*Trigger*: Solvency = long-term debt paying ability.


*Q50*: Leverage ratio example?  

*Answer: Debt Ratio, Equity Multiplier*  

*Trigger*: Leverage = debt vs equity/assets.


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*Section 6: Capital Maintenance, Theories, Stakeholders – 10 Qs*


*Q51*: Financial capital maintenance: Profit if:  

*Answer: Ending net assets > Beginning net assets*  

*Trigger*: Nominal dollars maintained.


*Q52*: Physical capital maintenance: Profit if:  

*Answer: Physical capacity at end > beginning*  

*Trigger*: Maintain operating capability.


*Q53*: Proprietary theory: Equation?  

*Answer: Assets – Liabilities = Proprietor’s Equity*  

*Trigger*: Focus on owner.


*Q54*: Entity theory: Equation?  

*Answer: Assets = Equities*  

*Trigger*: Entity separate from owner. GAAP uses this.


*Q55*: Residual equity theory: Focus on?  

*Answer: Common shareholders*  

*Trigger*: After pref + debt claims.


*Q56*: Internal stakeholder example?  

*Answer: Employees, Managers, Board*  

*Trigger*: Inside org.


*Q57*: External stakeholder example?  

*Answer: Investors, Creditors, Govt, Customers*  

*Trigger*: Outside org.


*Q58*: Agency theory problem?  

*Answer: Conflict between owners & managers*  

*Trigger*: Manager may not act in owner interest.


*Q59*: Stewardship concept in financial reporting?  

*Answer: Mgmt accountable to owners*  

*Trigger*: Financial stmts show stewardship.


*Q60*: Capital structure =  

*Answer: Mix of debt & equity*  

*Trigger*: Affects WACC, risk.


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*Section 7: Dividends, Investments – 10 Qs*


*Q61*: Cash dividend declared $1/share, 100,000 shares.  

*Q*: JE?  

*Answer: Dr RE $100,000 Cr Div Payable $100,000*  

*Trigger*: Declaration creates liability.


*Q62*: 10% Stock dividend, FMV $20, 100,000 shares out.  

*Q*: Amount to RE?  

*Answer: $200,000* = 10,000×$20  

*Trigger*: Small stock div <25% at FMV.


*Q63*: Large stock dividend 50%. Par $1, FMV $20.  

*Q*: Amount to RE?  

*Answer: $50,000* = 50,000×$1  

*Trigger*: Large stock div >25% at par.


*Q64*: Trading securities, unrealized gain $10,000.  

*Q*: I/S impact?  

*Answer: Gain $10,000 in Net Income*  

*Trigger*: Trading = FV through NI.


*Q65*: AFS securities, unrealized gain $10,000.  

*Q*: Where reported?  

*Answer: OCI, net of tax*  

*Trigger*: AFS = FV through OCI.


*Q66*: HTM securities measured at?  

*Answer: Amortized Cost*  

*Trigger*: Intent + ability to hold to maturity.


*Q67*: HTM security impaired, credit loss.  

*Q*: I/S impact?  

*Answer: Credit loss in NI, non-credit in OCI*  

*Trigger*: ASU 2016-13 CECL model.


*Q68*: Sell AFS with $5,000 unrealized gain in OCI.  

*Q*: On sale?  

*Answer: Reclassify $5,000 from OCI to NI*  

*Trigger*: Realized gains hit I/S.


*Q69*: Dividend received on trading stock.  

*Q*: I/S?  

*Answer: Dividend Income*  

*Trigger*: Dividends always NI regardless of classification.


*Q70*: Equity method, investee earns $100,000. Investor owns 30%.  

*Q*: Investor income?  

*Answer: $30,000*  

*Trigger*: Equity method = pick up % of NI.


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*Section 8: Inventory Methods, Goodwill, Consolidation – 10 Qs*


*Q71*: Perpetual inventory: When is COGS recorded?  

*Answer: Each sale*  

*Trigger*: Continuous update.


*Q72*: Periodic inventory: When is COGS calculated?  

*Answer: End of period: Beg + Purch – End*  

*Trigger*: Physical count required.


*Q73*: Gross profit method used for?  

*Answer: Estimate inventory for interim/estimate*  

*Trigger*: Not GAAP for annual.


*Q74*: Retail method: Cost ratio 60%. Ending retail $100,000.  

*Q*: Ending inventory cost?  

*Answer: $60,000*  

*Trigger*: Retail × Cost ratio.


*Q75*: Parent buys 80% Sub for $1,000,000. FV of Sub net assets $900,000.  

*Q*: Goodwill?  

*Answer: $280,000* = 1,000,000 – (900,000×80%)  

*Trigger*: *Partial goodwill method* GAAP.


*Q76*: If NCI at full FV $250,000. Same deal.  

*Q*: Goodwill full?  

*Answer: $350,000* = 1,000,000+250,000-900,000  

*Trigger*: *Full goodwill method* IFRS allowed.


*Q77*: Goodwill impairment test frequency?  

*Answer: Annual + if triggering event*  

*Trigger*: ASC 350, qualitative first.


*Q78*: Parent sells inventory to Sub for $120,000, cost $100,000. Sub sells 50% to outside.  

*Q*: Unrealized profit to eliminate?  

*Answer: $10,000* = 20,000×50%  

*Trigger*: Eliminate profit in ending inventory.


*Q79*: Intercompany receivable $50,000 / payable $50,000.  

*Q*: Consolidation JE?  

*Answer: Dr AP $50,000 Cr AR $50,000*  

*Trigger*: Eliminate intercompany balances.


*Q80*: Sub declares $40,000 dividend. Parent owns 80%.  

*Q*: NCI share?  

*Answer: $8,000* = 20%×40,000  

*Trigger*: NCI gets share of sub dividends.


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*Section 9: Mixed Advanced – 20 Qs*


*Q81*: Capital maintenance vs Income: If prices rising, physical capital method shows?  

*Answer: Lower income*  

*Trigger*: Must replace at higher cost.


*Q82*: Proprietary vs Entity: Interest expense under proprietary theory is?  

*Answer: Dividend, not expense*  

*Trigger*: Debt = owner capital.


*Q83*: Current ratio 2.0. Buy inventory on account. New ratio?  

*Answer: Decreases if CR>1*  

*Trigger*: +Inv/+AP. 200/100=2.0. 250/150=1.67.


*Q84*: Debt-to-Equity 1.5. Issue new stock for cash. D/E?  

*Answer: Decreases*  

*Trigger*: Equity up, debt same.


*Q85*: ROI 10%. Leverage positive if ROA >?  

*Answer: Cost of debt*  

*Trigger*: Leverage works if ROA > interest rate.


*Q86*: Trading security bought $50, end yr1 FV $60, end yr2 FV $55.  

*Q*: Yr2 I/S?  

*Answer: $5,000 loss*  

*Trigger*: FV change each year to NI.


*Q87*: AFS bought $50, yr1 FV $60, yr2 sold $58. Tax 25%.  

*Q*: Yr2 NI impact?  

*Answer: $8,000 gain*  

*Trigger*: $10k unrealized from yr1 reclassed + $2k loss yr2 = $8k realized.


*Q88*: HTM bond, amortized cost $100,000. FV $90,000. No credit loss.  

*Q*: B/S?  

*Answer: $100,000*  

*Trigger*: HTM not written down for non-credit FV changes.


*Q89*: Periodic system: Purchase returns where?  

*Answer: Reduce Purchases*  

*Trigger*: COGS = Beg+Purch-Net-End.


*Q90*: Perpetual system: Purchase return JE?  

*Answer: Dr AP Cr Inventory*  

*Trigger*: Direct to inventory.


*Q91*: Consolidation: Parent’s investment account eliminated against?  

*Answer: Sub’s equity accounts*  

*Trigger*: Basic elim entry.


*Q92*: NCI on B/S shown as?  

*Answer: Separate component of Equity*  

*Trigger*: Not liability under GAAP.


*Q93*: Goodwill impairment loss on I/S affects NCI?  

*Answer: Yes, if full goodwill method*  

*Trigger*: Partial goodwill = only parent share.


*Q94*: Deferred tax due to depreciation: DTL. Equipment sold.  

*Q*: DTL?  

*Answer: Reverses, eliminate*  

*Trigger*: Temporary diff reversed.


*Q95*: Stock dividend vs stock split: Accounting difference?  

*Answer: Div transfers RE to Capital, Split only memo*  

*Trigger*: Split no JE, just change par/shares.


*Q96*: Operating lease expense pattern?  

*Answer: Straight-line*  

*Trigger*: Single lease cost.


*Q97*: Finance lease B/S: Liability =?  

*Answer: PV of lease payments*  

*Trigger*: Same as operating.


*Q98*: FIFO in inflation: Tax paid higher or lower?  

*Answer: Higher*  

*Trigger*: FIFO = higher NI = higher tax.


*Q99*: Change from cash to accrual: Treatment?  

*Answer: Retrospective if practicable*  

*Trigger*: Change in principle.


Q100*: Primary objective of financial reporting per FASB?  

*Answer: Provide useful info to investors/creditors for decisions*  

*Trigger*: CON 8. Not stewardship, not tax.


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